SP 3
He stepped inside the darkened house. If it wouldn't have been for his extraordinarily good night vision, he wouldn't have even seen his hands in front of his face. Glancing around the room he searched for her in this well-known place. A muffled laughter reached him from upstairs. With one hand on the rail he took the stairs, always taking two at one time. He listened to the unnatural silence. He looked around, searched for her with precision. Still he tried to not make any sudden moves or sounds. Actually, it wasn't really necessary; she knew where he was in the house anyway.
As he reached the last stair he turned to the right. He could see her silhouette. Skulduggery sneaked up behind her. Devoid of sounds he wrapped his bony arms around her waist, turning her to face him. She seemed surprised; he liked this game way too much for his own good. He pinned her between the wall and his very own body, or what was left from it. Tears started to fill her eyes. He wanted to kiss them away.
He wanted her so much. Take her! His own darkness rose when he was near Darquesse, and right now it was unbelievable hard to not give in to this unbending voice inside him. One of his hands went up to his tie so he could loosen it and touch the symbols beneath. "No", she pressed his hand against her side, slipping her other hand to his skull. Her touch nearly burned him, he wanted more.
TAKE HER! His inside screamed at him with an intensity he wasn't aware of. Skulduggery felt something seeping thru his chest and recognised the look on Darquesse face. Vile wanted out, and she didn't mind. Her facial expression went from unbelieving to accepting in an eye blink. She pushed herself harder against him, forced him to stay close to her. "Take me…" she whispered.
AAAAAAARGHHHH! He couldn't resist anymore. As she pressed her lips against his cold teeth he could feel the burning fire inside him slowly breaking thru. He huddled her against the wall, his hand searching for his collarbones. Suddenly he could feel movement on his bones. They paused the kiss and Darquesse admired her work. He didn't believe it; she had re-built his whole body, not any body, his very own. He felt the power of human muscles pumping thru him.
One tear dripped down to her cheek. Skulduggery fought his appetite for her back, slowly raised one hand to her cheek and wiped the drop away. Their foreheads touched gently as she huddled her cheek in his soft hand. Darquesse looked up to him. At the first moment he didn't believe what he saw in her eyes; she was afraid, probably of him. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't, so he took his chance.
His face hovered over hers; trying to find out if it was ok for her. Then she took the first step and brushed over his upper lip. At that instance he couldn't hold back anymore. He kissed her passionate, felt her skin under his own. Their lips didn't separate as he carried her into one of the lit rooms next to them. More shadows rose from his new-born chest and tangled into the once that were covering Darquesse. She moaned and deepened the kiss. A canopy bed grew from the ceiling. Skulduggery laid her on the bed, not moving an inch away from her side. Darquesse was already unbuttoning his shirt as the memories emerged thru the thick red cloud in his mind.
She's not the one she used to be. You don't love her, you love Valkyrie and this is not Valkyrie! The darkness inside him screamed out as he made his decision. He deepened the kiss one more time, then he took a few steps back and her hurt look made him numb inside. "What…?" her voice trembled. Once again he buttoned his shirt and tightened his tie; finally pulling his hat low in his face so she couldn't see how much it hurt him too.
"I have to go now." His voice was hollow, reserved and inapproachable.
"What do you … we … we were …" she gasped for breath. His façade was melting, dripping down from his bones to the carpet.
The skeleton detective turned his back on his former partner and friend.
"SKULDUGGERY!" she cried out with so much pain and effort.
He stepped into the doorway.
"Please… don't…" she shivered under her stagnant breath.
He glanced over his shoulder. She sat right there: the most beautiful woman he had ever known in his life. The woman he had started to love. This was the last chance to walk back to her and be one with her.
He let the moment pass.
"Valkyrie once lost her heart. I found it for her." She sucked in air heavily.
"I know where you're hiding and I will get you this time." Horror was in her eyes.
"I … I'm Darquesse not Valkyrie …" she started.
"Indeed. I can assure you: I won't make the same mistake twice."
She lost sight of him as he disappeared into a cloud of shadows.
